Genny Norton touched computer screens, heard sirens wail and otherwise handled frantic 911 calls with ease Thursday afternoon.

Ms. Norton, who is a communications center shift supervisor, is among the first St. Joseph Police Department personnel to operate new all-digital computer technology that aims to better locate the origin of 911 calls.

The switch officially occurred Wednesday morning, following the installation of hardware and software from Plant CML, a California firm that specializes in computer-aided dispatch systems.

To Tana McClanahan — the department’s public safety network administrator — the change marks a shift to updated technology that will improve response to emergency calls.

“A major benefit of this system is that we’ll be able to tell where cellular calls come from,” Ms. McClanahan said. “We’re not actually receiving locations on cell calls yet.”

The department will contact cell phone providers to notify them of the changeover, she said. A reply within six months is required from cell companies, acknowledging the switch. No problems are expected.

“It’s an FCC (Federal Communications Commission) regulation,” Ms. McClanahan said. “It doesn’t hold up the process.”

The new equipment includes touch screens for answering calls and speed dialing. Locations of 911 calls will be displayed. Already, the system produced a number of calls that came from an accident scene this week at 22nd and Charles streets. There was no time for test calls because the first 911 call came in to the communications center.

“There was no lapse in service,” Ms. McClanahan said. “It was almost like flipping a switch.”

The system can also differentiate among 911 calls from telecommunications devices for the deaf and text telephones to benefit dispatchers. A siren ringtone, which may be changed later, signifies incoming emergency calls.

Ms. Norton praised the technology that helped her in a day in which she handled fights or searches for missing children.

“It’s a lot more user-friendly,” she said. “We have the ability to program a lot more phone numbers.”

A five-year renewable warranty and software subscription will help police operate the system with no worries about repairs or upgrades.

“Our old system was no longer supported,” Ms. McClanahan said.

In June, the City Council approved the purchase of about $282,000 in equipment for the switch. Funding comes from the Capital Improvements Program.

Ray Scherer can be reached at rscherer@npgco.com.